Assistant City Attorney Karen Strand was set to supervise the Risk Management Division. Risk Manager Evelyn Kelly, who canceled the city's insurance in December, was going to report to Strand.

"Thank you for the 'promotional' reassignment to become the Senior Risk Manager of the city's Risk Management Division," Strand wrote in her resignation letter. "Although, I do believe, the original promotion reassignment has now been altered to reflect that I would retain my assistant city attorney title and merely 'supervise' the Risk Management Division."

Kelly sent a letter to cancel the contract with Gallagher, an insurance agent the city employed for 20 years.

Chief Administrative Officer for the mayor, Sherika Fields Jones, at a City Council meeting May 14(Photo: Sara MacNeil)

Adrian Perkins wasn't mayor yet when Kelly canceled the contract with the previous insurance broker, but former Mayor Ollie Tyler didn’t approve the cancellation. Although an audit hasn't determined who ordered Kelly to cancel the insurance, blame for the controversy appears to be placed on Kelly as sources confirmed Strand was to be her new supervisor.

Assistant City Attorney Karen Strand at a City Council meeting May 14.(Photo: sara macneil)

Strand can cite ordinances from memory at City Council meetings, but risk management isn't her area of expertise. At least three council members said they were concerned about the transfer.

“She brings a lot to the table. Now she’s being moved to a completely different area that has nothing to do with her actual wheelhouse,” Councilwoman LeVette Fuller said

Councilwoman LeVette Fuller at a City Council meeting May 14.(Photo: Sara MacNeil)

Strand's last day of employment is May 27. She said she's accepting a position in a city in Texas in her resignation letter. Strand did not immediately respond to inquiries from The Times.